Smith ready to return to gymnastics training

January 7, 2014 12:13 pm

Three-time Olympic medal winner Louis Smith has announced he is set to return to gymnastics following a break from the sport.

Smith stepped away from gymnastics after winning pommel horse silver and team bronze at London 2012.

But the 24-year-old insists he is now ready to return with his sights sets on competing for England at this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

And while he admits he faces a fight just to book his spot on the team, 24-year-old Smith revealed that if he is successful, the Commonwealth Games will be his last major competition.

"I'm not done with gymnastics yet. I have unfinished business," said Smith, who also won Olympic pommel horse bronze in 2008.

"I believe I can very much compete amongst the best in the world and challenge for medals.

"People may assume that my achievements to date will mean a place in the team," he said. "However, that couldn't be further from the case.

"The strength in depth in this country is at a level it's never been before, with a large number of hugely talented gymnasts all competing for places.

"I will have to earn my place on the team, which is not going to be easy. Even if I achieve the necessary standards, it will still come down to the selectors.

"Should I qualify, this will be my last hurrah. The 2012 Olympics were everything to me and I believe that without the successes that I had there my life could have taken a very different path over the last year and a half.

"So I can go to the Commonwealth Games knowing that whatever happens, I will have achieved everything I ever dreamt of in gymnastics."